Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

  • Suleja prison: Security operatives begin manhunt for escaped inmates

    Suleja prison: Security operatives begin manhunt for escaped inmates

    The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has initiated a search for 109 out of 119 inmates who exploited the collapse of the perimeter fence of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, to escape from custody during heavy rainfall on Wednesday night.

    According to a statement by the NCoS spokesperson, AS Duza, the incident occurred when the prison’s perimeter fence collapsed due to the prolonged and intense rainfall on Wednesday night, causing damage to the custodial facility and surrounding structures.

    He said while 10 of the escaped inmates have been recaptured, efforts are underway to locate and apprehend the remaining fugitives. 

    According to him, the NCoS has activated its recapturing mechanisms and is collaborating with other security agencies to track down the fleeing inmates.

    Part of the statement read: “The service has immedi­ately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunc­tion with sister security agen­cies have so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot chase to recapture the rest.

    “The service is not unmind­ful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era, and that they are old and weak.

    “The service is making fran­tic efforts to see that all ageing facilities give way for modern ones. This is evidenced in the ongoing construction of six number of 3000-capacity ul­tra-modern custodial centres in all the geo-political zones in Nigeria as well as the ongoing reconstruction and renovation of existing ones.

    “The service wishes to assure the public that it is on top of the situation and that they should go about their businesses without fear or hindrance. The public is fur­ther enjoined to look out for the fleeing inmates and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security agency.”

  • NNPCL gives reason for fuel scarcity

    NNPCL gives reason for fuel scarcity

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, has blamed what it calls “logistic issues” as the reason behind the current fuel scarcity in some states.

    The company blamed the logistic issues for the tightness in the supply of fuel in some parts of the country.

    NNPCL disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, assuring that the issue has been resolved.

    NNPCL reiterated that the prices of petroleum products are not changing nationwide.

    Soneye urged Nigerians to avoid panic buying as there is a sufficiency of products in the country.

    The statement read in part: “NNPC Ltd says cause of tightness in fuel supply resolved.

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) wishes to clarify that the tightness in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit currently being experienced in some areas across the country is as a result of logistics issues and that they have been resolved.

    “It also wishes to reiterate that the prices of petroleum products are not changing.

    “It urges Nigerians to avoid panic buying as there is a sufficiency of products in the country.”

  • Air Peace sets to commence Abuja-London flights

    Air Peace sets to commence Abuja-London flights

    Nigerian airline operator Air Peace will commence its Abuja-London route very soon.

    This was disclosed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Thursday.

    Featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, the minister said he has given the approval for Air Peace to add Abuja to its London route.

    Air Peace recently commenced its Lagos-Gatwick flights, gathering commendation from many Nigerians.

    Following the commencement of the Lagos-London route, other airlines crashed their prices, a situation that led to the owner of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, alleging an international conspiracy.

  • Senator Ayogu Eze Is Dead

    Senator Ayogu Eze Is Dead

    Former Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Ayogu Eze, is reportedly dead.

    The former Senate spokesman died in an Abuja Hospital after a protracted illness.

    A source who spoke to the Daily Post said the late Senator had been down, which prevented him from attending his child’s wedding ceremony earlier in the year, which was held in Lagos State.

    Ayogu Eze was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before he defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, where he ran for the Enugu State governorship election.

  • Flight operations diverted as fire breaks out at Lagos airport

    Flight operations diverted as fire breaks out at Lagos airport

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has diverted all flight operations from Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) to the D wing following a fire incident at the terminal.

    According to a statement by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, on Thursday, April 25, officials of the Airport Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) were mobilised to contain the fire after a smoke was detected at E54 bridge

    The statement reads: “At 05:29 hrs, smoke was detected billowing from the E54 Bridge, leading electrical engineers to immediately cut off power to the entire E Wing.

    “The Airport Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) team was quick to respond, arriving at the scene by 05:30 hrs.

    “Initial suspicions point to sparks from an electrical unit as the cause, but a thorough investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the fire. The incident, which had escalated into a fire, was brought under control by 06:41 hrs.

    “Efforts to ventilate the smoke from the building are in progress. In the meantime, all flight operations in Terminal 1 of MMA have been diverted to the D Wing.”

  • EFCC hands over recovered assets to Enugu governor

    EFCC hands over recovered assets to Enugu governor

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, on Wednesday, handed over 14 recovered assets to Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State.

    During the handing over ceremony held at the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, Olukoyede revealed that the assets recovered by the commission was forfeited to the Federal Government.

    He added that the EFCC began an investigation into the development since 2007, and had achieved the conviction of persons in relation to the matter.

    He also noted that the President, Bola Tinubu, ordered the handover of the assets which includes – real estate, radio and television transmission equipment, and medical facility, amongst others, to the Enugu State Government, following a request by the EFCC.

  • FG Suspends Dana Air operations after Lagos airport incident

    FG Suspends Dana Air operations after Lagos airport incident

    The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has suspended Dana Airline operations due to concerns surrounding the safety and financial viability of their operations.

    The ministry, through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, suspended the airline’s operations in the country, until a comprehensive audit is conducted.

    This was contained in a statement titled ‘Immediate suspension of Dana Airline pending safety and financial health audit’, signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Meribole.

    An aircraft belonging to the airline, with registration number 5N BKI, skidded off the runway at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday morning.

    The aircraft, which flew from Abuja to Lagos, skidded off the runway in an attempt to land.

    No casualty was recorded.

    The statement, directed to the Director General of NACA, called for the suspension of the airline’s fleet until after an audit is completed.

    “As the supervisor overseeing our nation’s aviation safety and regulatory compliance, it has come to the Honourable Minister’s attention that recent incidents involving DANA AIRLINE have raised serious concerns regarding both the safety and financial viability of their operations.

    “In light of these incidents and with the paramount priority being the safety and well-being of our citizens and travellers, the Honourable Minister has directed that you immediately initiate the suspension of Dana Airline’s fleet until a comprehensive audit can be conducted,” the statement read.

    Meribole stated that the audit should encompass all aspects of safety protocols, maintenance procedures, and financial health to ensure full compliance with aviation regulations.

  • My late son will return – Actor Yul Edochie

    My late son will return – Actor Yul Edochie

    Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has said that his late son, Kambilichukwu will ‘return’.

    Recall that Kambi, 16, died March last year after he suddenly developed a seizure while playing football with his schoolmates.

    In an Instagram post, Edochie expressed belief he will return while unveiling his ambition to father eleven children.

    He made this known on Wednesday after celebrating the first birthday of his second son with Judy Austin on 22nd of April.

    Edochie wrote, “I’m just getting started. I’m going to have eleven children. Eleven beautiful children. Complete football team. My great son Kambi will return.”

  • Dangote Refinery Gives Update On Diesel Price Reduction

    Dangote Refinery Gives Update On Diesel Price Reduction

    Dangote Petroleum Refinery said its N940 per litre diesel price cut is only applicable to customers buying five million litres and above.

    The Head of Communication, Mr Anthony Chiejina made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday, noting that N970 per litre is for customers buying one million and above.

    Dangote Refinery made its third diesel price cut to N940 and N970 per litre, respectively.

    The company had earlier announced two price cuts which saw the price of diesel drop to N1,000 per litre from N1,600.

    Recall that the entrance of Dangote Refinery into the sale of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, had impacted the West Africa oil & gas industry.

    On May 22 last year, the 650,000 barrels per day crude oil refinery was commissioned.

    However, the facility is yet to commence the sale of fuel.

    Standard and Poor’s Global Commodities said Dangote Refinery will commence the sale of fuel in the fourth quarter of 2024.

  • IG Egbetokun Denies saying Nigeria Not Mature For State Police

    IG Egbetokun Denies saying Nigeria Not Mature For State Police

    The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Ben Okolo, has said his comments at the National Dialogue on State Police in Abuja on Monday were his personal views.

    Okolo, who had expressively said that he was representing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun at the event, said the country is not mature enough for state police despite Nigeria’s myriad of security challenges.

    He had also suggested that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to become departments under the Force.

    Following this development, his comments angered many Nigerians, who said the rising insecurity in the country demands urgent attention.

    Speaking at a briefing at the Force Headquarters on Tuesday, Okolo retracted his comments and clarified some points.

    The police officer said his statement that “Nigeria is not ready for a decentralised police force” was a personal view and did not reflect the stance of the police force.

    According to Okolo, the comments were not that of the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force, adding that the position of the Force will soon be made known.